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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Books I received this week:Tight Rope by Michael KarpinRowing Lessons by Anne LandsmanRowing Lesson is up for a award by Jewish Book CouncilIf you would like to visit my other blog and see what else I received go to Seaside Bookworm

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

This article was written by our Rabbi Avi it was published in the Sun News of Myrle Beach, SC on Febuary 9th, 2009.

Hamas follows ideology of violence, hate

By Rabbi Avi Perets

I read "Israel creates its own problem with Hamas," [Shane Watson letter], which appeared on The Readers' Page Jan. 27, and I was amazed to see so many inaccuracies, one-sided facts and misunderstandings of Hamas. The author of this essay pictured Hamas as a legitimate organization that helped and improved the quality of life of the Palestinians, when in fact Hamas is an extreme terrorist group that stood in the way of any chance for peace in that area. Hamas tortured and killed many Palestinians that opposed its militant and destructive ways, including members of the Palestinian Authority who rule the West Bank. Israel evacuated Gaza two years ago, giving the Palestinians 100 percent of their territories, with a hope that afterward, the terrorist attacks and missile strikes would stop. In reality the opposite happened. Hamas increased its attacks on Israel with daily missile strikes on civilians. Israel retaliated by temporarily closing the border entries to Gaza, which resulted in a shortage of goods and more suffering to the people of Gaza.

When Israel tried to reopen the entries to Gaza, Hamas terrorists bombed them again and again, causing the borders to be closed off again. This vicious cycle of violence repeated itself many times, and Hamas, who disregarded the misery of the Palestinians, is to blame for that. Hamas is motivated by anti-Semitic and fanatic ideology, which does not recognize Israel's right to exist. A simple reading of the Hamas charter reveals the true nature of their ideology, which is anti-Jews, anti-Christians (whom they call infidels) and anti-western. They receive their funding from Iran, and they promote global Jihad with their colleagues from Al-Qaeda.

I happened to be in Israel for a visit with my wife and children when the recent war with Hamas started. We stayed in the city of Ashdod, which is about 15 miles north of Gaza. We experienced firsthand the suffering and misery of the Israeli citizens who reside in the south part of Israel. The Hamas terrorist organization was launching their missiles indiscriminately and aiming at large cities and their civilian populations in Israel. As a result, they were killing and injuring innocent citizens.

In the city of Ashdod, where we stayed, we heard the missiles as they exploded nearby, hitting a kindergarten, school, residential building and other civilian targets. There were 1 million Israeli citizens affected by these terror attacks. Many businesses had to shut down, and the schools were closed for four weeks. At first, Israel and Egypt (yes, even Egypt realized that Israel has a right to defend itself) just warned Hamas to stop these missile attacks, but to no avail. Hamas knew that Israel would hesitate to destroy the missile-launching sites because they were in schools, mosques and other heavily populated locations. Finally, after a week of hundreds of missile attacks, Israel used its military forces in order to put a stop to these unbearable conditions. Let us also remember that if the Arabs had accepted the U.N. partition of Palestine into two states in 1947, the "Two State Solution" would have been a reality from the very beginning; but instead, seven Arab nations attacked the newborn state of Israel with the intent of annihilating the nation.

No other country in the world would tolerate the existence of a terrorist country as their neighbor. Not only are they calling for the annihilation of the state of Israel, but they are also actively performing acts of terror. We should salute Israel for standing in the frontline and defending the democratic values of the modern world.The writer is the rabbi of Temple Emanu-El in Myrtle Beach.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

The story is based on a true story, based on a book. I remember seeing this book at least 15 yrs. ago in Barnes and Noble but I did not pick it up. After Schindler's list I wanted to read anything and everything about the Holocaust.

This movie is a very different kind of movie about the Jews during the Shoah. This time they fight back. The reason I felt this was different was, every movie that takes place during the holocaust either is the passivity of the Jews, about the awful sad atrocities that happened during that time. Or the elderly, that were survivors tell the true facts, and flashbacks. It is the first time I have seen anyone do something to fight back.

Finally Jews that fight back!!

It is about Defiance, the two older brothers both become defiant with each other. The become Partisans in the forest after their parents are killed and they find out the fate of their wives. They both have to make a choice. One of the brothers wants to avenge the deaths of the Jews by the Germans, the other brother feels that life is precious. every life you save you are responsible for, it is survival. He feels saving a old woman's life is more important than killing ten Nazi's. It is interesting how all of the Jews that are saved are in the forest and how they become a community. It is interesting how they deal with survival and the making of their own society during the duration of the war. The brother's fight to decide how this will play out either as avenging the Germans or just to survive. One of the brother's decides he wants to fight side by side with the Russians. The other just wants to live each day and survive.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Please forgive me I don't usually post about myself but the spirit moved me to do it this time. Tomorrow's my Birthday!! I am not telling how old I am. Having a 18 yr.old son gives you some indication. I can't celebrate my b-day till Wednesday what a bummer. I have a school and one exam tomorrow and I have to work..

But Wednesday I am having a b-day arranged by my mom with some of my friends.We will be headed to Little River to a nice restaurant called the Parson's Table.It was re-designed by new owners awhile back. It was a old church. We celebrated a few years ago here when my son became a Bar-Mitzvah. I am looking forward to it.

My son is having friends over for the super bowl later. I thought I would hava a hour to celebrate with him and then hit the books so more. Well no such luck he just informed me he having some friends over tonight. Oh, well such is life with a 18 yr. old.

I would like to remind anyone that has not entered in my book giveaway for People of the Book you still have time to enter. I may extend it a few more days since I did not get a response. If you would please spread the word. If I don't get much of a response I will extend it to next Sunday.

I am posting this article from Nextbook about a independent film featuring Jeff Goldblum and William Defoe. I love to see independent films, and foreign films. This film is looks a bit unusual but that is what adds to the flavor of the film. It is based off a novel from a Israeli author from the 60's. The movie is a Israeli film. Hopefully I will be able to see it on a video sometime soon. I don't think we will be getting it here. It is just too controversial for the South.It takes place during the holocaust.